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Ep. 14 Nine Lessons Learned at AmericasMart

AmericasMart, for buyers and sellers, can be overwhelming. Before I attended my first AmericasMart, I was searching for information on how to navigate the wholesale buying process, where to stay, and what to prioritize on a limited timeline and budget. And while I did finally go to market and have a successful buying trip, I wish I’d had someone to give me an overview beforehand.

Needless to say, attending your first wholesale market as an indie retail store owner or maker can be intimidating. Whether it’s Dallas, Vegas, Atlanta, or another wholesale market, there are definitely some key things to know before you first walk into the exhibition halls. 

Keep reading for some tips on how to attend market as either a buyer or a maker, as well as a free resource that’s packed with all the nitty gritty details you’ll need for your first market trip. 

AmericasMart Tips for Brick and Mortar Store Owners

AmericasMart is for both buyers and sellers. For potential buyers—aka, you, if you’re an independent brick and mortar store owner!—I have tons of tips on how to make the most of attending AmericasMart. These tips come directly from my experience as an attendee buying for the retail store that I used to co-own with my sister, The Salvaged Boutique. 

Book Your Hotel Room as Early as Possible  

No matter what market you’re planning to attend, try to book your hotel room well in advance. Use your credit card to reserve you room, then add a reminder in your calendar to check on your reservation before the cancellation date. That way, you can cancel without any extra fees if your plans don’t pan out. 

Many hotels won’t charge your card a deposit until a few weeks before market. They book up really fast, especially the five or so closest to AmericasMart! You can see a map of the hotels closest to the AmericasMart buildings inside my free Buyer’s Guide To Attending AmericasMart in Atlanta. 

Plan How You’ll Get to the Market

Most nearby hotels offer a FREE shuttle to and from AmericasMart. Be sure to call the hotel directly to verify beforehand. You’ll already be spending a lot of money at the market, so finding ways to utilize the resources included in your hotel stay or at the market itself is a smart move.

The Marta is Atlanta’s public transportation system. While I’ve not used it before, I’ve heard from other AmericasMart attendees that it is a good option.

Use the AmericasMart Luggage and Coat Check Service

AmericasMart has a luggage and coat check service in building #2. It’s relatively inexpensive (last I checked, it was about $3/bag) and gives you peace of mind that your items are safe.

This especially comes in handy if you’re coming to the market directly from the airport, or if you checked out of your hotel that morning and want to secure your bags before flying out in the evening. 

The showrooms at AmericasMart can get quite packed since AmericasMart is for both buyers and sellers, so the less you’re carrying and tugging along behind you, the better!

AmericasMart for buyers and sellers

Ask Vendors if They Have Special Promotions for the Week

I learned this lesson the hard way: one of the vendors we buy from had a 40% off day at AmericasMart, and we found out the day after. In the future, I’ll ask each vendor if they have any special promotions coming up in the week.  

Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate—especially if you’re a returning customer, placing a large order, or placing multiple large orders. Ask them what they can offer you in return for your business, such as free freight or 10-20% off. You won’t know what they might be able to do unless you ask!

Consider Attending Multiple Markets (or Trying a New One)

Several of my shopkeeper friends attend multiple markets or switch between several markets each year. This isn’t because some markets are better than others, but because they want to find new vendors and merchandise.  

If you’re attending the same market for years in a row, you might find that a lot of the merchandise is the same year in and year out. Attending different markets will expose you to other, new-to-you options.

AmericasMart for buyers and sellers

Be on the Lookout for Trends and Inspiration

Each year, members of Master Shopkeepers ask what others are seeing as trending while attending AmericasMart since both buyers and sellers attend. It’s a great question to ask since your customers will always want what’s trending! 

Customers might see trending items or styles in magazines, on social media, on TV shows, or in their day to day lives. Keeping up with these trends stops your merchandise from feeling stale or dated—and keeps your customers coming shopping with you.

There is also so much inspiration to be found at market events! From displays to showrooms to creative merchandising choices, you can get a wealth of information on how to make your store stand out at AmericasMart. 

Some showrooms prohibit photography, so check for a “no photography” sign upon entering and always ask before snapping a photo. If a vendor says yes, then do it! This is a great way to learn from the experts and find inspiration.  

I often share images on my social media accounts from markets, so be sure to follow me @savyshopkeeper.

Attend the Education Events, Presentations, and Demos on Offer

At AmericasMart (and most other markets, too!), there is a slew of educational classes, presentations, demos, social events, and cocktail parties for attendees. 

If possible, organize your calendar so you can take advantage of these free resources! There is a ton of value in these events, whether it’s making connections with vendors and other store owners, learning new merchandising techniques, or understanding how a product you’re bringing into your store actually works. 

Have a Clear Understanding of the AmericasMart Buildings

There are three giant buildings to get through at AmericasMart, and they can be incredibly overwhelming. If you know your target customer and your nice, though, it’s often clear which building(s) you need to focus on. 

This is the simplest way I know how to break down each building:

  • Building 1: Furniture and Holiday
  • Building 2: Holiday, Gift, and Home Decor
  • Building 3: Fashion, Jewelry, Children’s World

The best ways to figure out where to go is to download the AmericasMart app It can guide you to exactly where you want to be.

What to Know Before Attending AmericasMart as a Maker

AmericasMart is great for buyers and sellers alike. I’ve never attended AmericasMart as a maker, but I do have a few quick tips to share if you’re considering attending as a maker vendor.

Makers can apply to be exhibitors in the Temporaries. These are ideal for makers because they are essentially the same as booths at a local market.  I’ve seen temporaries in both buildings 2 and 3 and I usually see them somewhere between the 1st and 5th  floors.

Applying is an investment of both time and money. Just like any market event that you attend, the more eye-catching your booth and displays, the better.  And from what I gather, it will cost you thousands to be a vendor.

Some things you’ll need to consider for your setup:

  • Walls
  • Tables or furniture 
  • Merchandise
  • Banners and signage
  • Accessories for displays and merchandising
  • Moving vehicle
  • Travel
  • Hotel & accommodations
  • Meals

You’ll also need to have some marketing items with you, such as free samples, business cards, postcards, catalogs, line sheets, and order forms.

I’d recommend having a helpful friend or travel partner with you to help with set up, selling, and take down. It can be a lot of work to make it through market as a solo vendor! You’ll be working long hours, too, so having some type of seating will be very helpful.

Last but not least, be prepared to talk to and pitch hundreds or even thousands of store owners. It may be exhausting, but the exposure you can get at a market event could be very fruitful for your business.

Will You Attend AmericasMart Next Year?

I hope that sharing these tips will keep you from being as clueless as I was at my first AmericasMart! If you want even more information on attending market events, you can sign up for my free 5-part series. 

Resources

Timestamps

  • [04:45] AmericasMart Tips for Brick and Mortar Store Owners
  • [16:02] What to Know Before Attending AmericasMart as a Maker
  • [18:47] Will You Attend AmericasMart Next Year?

Connect With Kathy

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. 

Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: www.savvyshopkeeper.com 
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

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